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mahatmakanejeeves

(60,893 posts)
Wed Oct 18, 2017, 12:19 PM Oct 2017

University of Maryland team takes 2nd place in international 'Solar Decathlon'

I went to the Department of Energy website, as they are the official sponsor. The newest Solar Decathlon I found via the search function is the one from 2015:

Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

It's at another location at the website now:

Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy 10 Reasons to Visit the Solar Decathlon

I used to go to these things when they were on the National Mall. These decathlons are great.

University of Maryland team takes 2nd place in international ‘Solar Decathlon’



The University of Maryland team’s house emphasizes water reuse and home gardening with Native Americans in mind, as the school has ties with the St. Croix Chippewa band of the Ojibwe tribe in Wisconsin. Exterior: (Dennis Schroeder/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon) (Dennis Schroeder/NREL)

By Michael Alison Chandler October 14

A team of students from the University of Maryland took second place Saturday for its design of a future-looking energy-efficient home at a “Solar Decathlon” sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Over nine days in Denver, nearly a dozen homes were evaluated for their energy performance, livability and market potential. The Maryland house stood out for its water-reuse system and emphasis on home gardening.

“This prestigious competition engages students from across the country and internationally to develop the skills and knowledge to become the next generation of energy experts,” said Linda Silverman, director of the Solar Decathlon.

The U-Md. house incorporates influences from Nanticoke and Maryland tribal traditions. In addition to solar power, it features a composting toilet, a water-filtration system, a hydroponic garden and a greenhouse and courtyard that can harvest heat energy. It also has a solar-powered clothes dryer and food dehydrator to encourage food storage and self-sufficiency.
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Michael Alison Chandler writes about families, gender and religion. Follow @michaelalison

Swiss Team Wins This Year’s Solar Decathlon In Denver

Posted by Joseph Bebon -October 17, 2017

On Saturday, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Daniel Simmons announced the winning team of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Solar Decathlon 2017. Hundreds of collegiate students from the U.S. and Europe recently assembled in Denver to showcase their energy-efficient, innovation-packed solar houses for the competition.

According to the DOE, the Swiss Team took first place overall by designing, building, and operating the house that best blended smart energy production with innovation, market potential, and energy and water efficiency. The University of Maryland took second place, and the University of California, Berkeley, and University of Denver team took third place.

“The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon provides real-world training and experience for the energy professionals of tomorrow,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Simmons. “It is also a live demonstration of innovative products available today that can help tackle global energy challenges such as energy reliability, resilience, and security.”

The collegiate teams competed in 10 contests throughout a nine-day stretch that gauged each house’s performance, livability, and market potential. They performed everyday tasks including cooking, laundry, and washing dishes, which tested the energy efficiency of each house.

Swiss students win top prize at US Solar Decathlon contest

A team of students from four Swiss universities has taken the top prize at the US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon event, held this week in Denver, Colorado.

The Swiss team, made up of students from the Federal Institute of Technology at Lausanne, the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg, the Geneva University of Art and Design, and the University of Fribourg, took first place overall with their innovative, solar-powered modular “community centre” buildingexternal link – the so-called “NeighborHub”.

Its walls are covered with custom-built solar panels, with specially designed "power optimisers" to monitor and adjust its usage. On the roof, the solar panels are replaced by green vegetation, to boost biodiversity.

After more than a week of showcasing the project both to public and judges in Denver – explaining its potential as a future model for renewable design – the concluding prize was awarded on Saturday night. ... And as well as the top overall distinction, which comes with a cheque for $300,000 (CHF292,000), the Swiss project also came out on top in six of ten sub-categories: architecture, engineering, energy, water, health and comfort, and home life.



The Swiss students have dubbed their creation the "NeighborHub".
(Keystone)

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